Part 4: Health care reform quality of care questioned

MISSOULA COUNTY

"Individuals will have the ability to access care and access their physician prior to their health care situation or problem becoming a crisis. So that is going to directly lead to more positive outcomes, as well as a positive reduction in the overall health care costs for the entire system," Mansch explains.

Some disagree. Neurologist Carter Beck is not a fan of the Affordable Care Act.

Beck insists the act supports a cookie-cutter approach to medicine that has been growing across the country already. "It's sort of an ‘all of us are in it together’ philosophy. That means the individual's particular needs might be neglected. What we end up doing is treating populations based on statistics, based on averages. I don’t think that’s what a patient expects when they come to the office," Beck explains.

He points to his patient Leann Schaf to make his case. Schaf says that cookie-cutter approach has cost her a procedure that was right for the type of pain she is experiencing.

"It just kind of puts an end to my life almost, and the activities that I want to do," says Schaf.

Beck wanted to do two procedures in one surgery to help Leann. Her insurance said no way. Instead, she’ll have two separate procedures.

For Beck, that shows a non-individualized approach to health care. He tells us, "So instead of the old model of a doctor who came to town and was the quintessential small businessman in town, who spent his life and his career in a particular location, we're going to have doctors provided by a big company. Imagine AT&T or Verizon deciding who the doctor is going to be that day. I think that is the direction we are headed -- the corporatization of America."

Beck would rather be the employer than the boss. He’s negotiating with a hospital to join its staff. That would close his office that has been open for 40-plus years.

From private offices to hospitals, health care is in for massive change. Remember Donna and her mother Esther? Esther is home now. Their story is at the heart of the most basic ACA claim -- increase the quality of care.

Health Care Slideshows

The Obama administration has extended the March 31 deadline for people who are having difficulty getting health insurance coverage through the federal marketplace. Take a look at some of the law's most significant policies, consequences and facts.

The Affordable Care Act's price tag continues to fall. The president's landmark health reform law will cost $506 billion for the coming five fiscal years, according to updated projections from the Congressional Budget Office, released Monday.